The Pistachio Tree: June 2012

Saturday, June 30, 2012

An Irish Food Parcel arrives!

Thank you to our gorgeous Baltimore cousins for sending an Irish Food parcel full of fabulous goodies! xxxx

Meatballs

In preparation of the new arrival in an attempt to save some time we are stocking up the freezer...First off Meatballs...

Ingredients

MEATBALLS
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten
SAUCE
3/4 cup chopped onion
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 bay leaf
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more. Serve.

Pasta Ispini

This is a recipe my husband created..& I can promise you its delicious as with all of his cooking ventures.

Ingredients

2 Organic Italian Sausages
half a punnet of cherry tomatoes

1 yellow pepper (Capsicum)

                                                               6 spring onions chopped
                                                                    8 mushrooms
                                   1 glass of pinot grigio
                                                                    1 cup of cream
                                                             any dried/fresh Italian herbs
                                ground black pepper
                                                                 1 large garlic clove

grill sausages & chop up move to a frying pan add tomatoes (half chopped) & peppers, mushrooms & spring onions, add herbs & black pepper. Once cooked through add crushed garlic clove & cook for further 2 minutes, add wine & simmer for 10 minutes, add cream & simmer for further 10 minutes add your favourite cooked pasta & sprinkle with parmesan

Friday, June 29, 2012

Soon to be a big sister.....

36 week baby update..

As we get closer to meeting our precious bundle of joy...At 36 weeks we had an ultrasound to see if our cherub had moved from the Frank breech position...but unfortunately they are still sitting bottom down with head & legs up in a V shape...& we also discovered the cord is wrapped around the neck not only once but twice!! so at this stage I will be having a c-section & a date will be scheduled for the next couple of weeks & cannot wait to meet our beautiful baby number 2!!!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Looking through Isabella's kaleidoscope

Niagara on the Lake

We are blessed to have amazing neighbours & having no family here they are always available to babysit & lend a helping hand & This weekend gave us an incredible gift of a night away! in Niagara on the lake.The first night that we have left our Isabella. Our First night away!! in 17 months....It was so strange not to get up for a bottle & to be able to enjoy a meal with no little person throwing peas & carrots on the floor, no nappies, no tantrums, & no big smiles & no sweet high pitched "Hi" greeting us in the morning,we missed her immensely but it was a relief to know she had been a good girl & even slept through the night! Here are a few snaps from Niagara On the Lake.